Fluid control device

ABSTRACT

The fluid control device has a closed passage formed by a groove in a block and closed by a base and an end plate, with bores extending downwardly through the block to the channel. An inlet tube and a normal outlet tube is sealed in a port leading to the inlet and outlet ends, respectively, of the passage. A valve is held upwardly against a valve seat of each bore by a resilient tube which avoids the use of normal springs and extends within the passage, being sealed to a neck at the outlet. Control buttons are slidably received in the bores and connected to stems for depressing the respective valves and flatten the tube, which terminates the flow of the normal outlet, the water than flowing around the tube and into the bore whose valve is opened. The block also has ports extending laterally into the bores and in which the ends of alternative outlet tubes are sealed.

United States Patent [72] inventor John Maguire Littleton,Colo. [21] Appl.No. 832,620 [22] Filed June 12,1969 [45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee SamsoniteCorporation Denver, Colo. a corporation of Colorado [54] FLUID CONTROL DEVICE 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl .1 137/612.1 [51] lnt.Cl Fl6k17/04 [50] FieldofSearch 137/612.1, 608

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,575,240 11/1951 Thompson... 137/608 2,781,780 2/1957 Zahradka..... 137/608 2,931,387 4/1960 Fleming 137/608 2,940,474 6/1960 Webster 137/6l2.1

I ll: "I"

1 iii 3,019,815 2/1962 Lenardon et a1 l37/612.1 3,027,908 4/1962 Cochran 137/612.1X 3,238,962 3/1966 Read 137/612.1X 3,399,697 9/1968 Schwartz 137/612.l 3.485 ,268 12/ 1 969 Salisbury 137/608 Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott Att0rneyVan Valkenburgh & Lowe ABSTRACT: The fluid control device has a closed passage connected to stems for depressing the respective valves and flatten the tube, which terminates the flow of the normal outlet, the water than flowing around the tube and into the bore whose valve is opened. The block also has ports extending laterally into the bores and in which the ends of alternative outlet tubes are sealed.

PATENTEDFEB 2mm 3.559.683

INVEN'IOR. John Mu guire WWW A 7' TOR/VEYS FLUID CONTROL DEVICE This invention relates to fluid control devices, particularly those which are useful in controlling the flow of liquid alternatively through a number of different outlets.

The flow control device of this invention is particularly useful in the amusement device, essentially a water toy or hydro toy. disclosed and claimed in the copending application of John Maguire, Tim M. Uyeda and Theodore G. Wahler, Ser. No. 832,585, filed Jun. 12, 1969. Such a hydro toy may comprise essentially a water course structure, vacuum formed from plastic to provide a series of interleaved and interspaced ridges having circuitous channels sloping downwardly to an outlet for drainage of water into a sump space above a sump plate, from which the water course structure is supported by posts, with the periphery of the water course structure and the periphery of the sump plate also being attached to an upright, surrounding frame. Impediments of various types are placed along the channel, or pair of corresponding channels, which merge at the outlet, to obstruct or impede the movement of a simulated boat or the like floating down the channel. Water is pumped from the sump to a fluid control device, or a pair thereof, for normal flow to the inlet end of a channel, while tubes in the sump space connect each fluid control device with a series of nozzles which are positioned to discharge water adjacent the respective impediments along the corresponding channel. Appropriate control buttons of the fluid control device or devices are pushed to divert the water, from its normal flow to a channel inlet,,to a desired nozzle to move the float off or away from the impediment involved. As will be evident, a fluid control device for incorporation in such an amusement device must not only be simple and inexpensive in construction, but also effective and reliable in operation.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel fluid control device; to provide such a fluid control device which is particularly useful in an amusement device, as of the character described above; to provide such a fluid control device which will change the flow of water, as from a pump, to different positions along a water course of an amusement device; to provide such a fluid control device which may be used for other purposes, such as the control of fluids other than water, air or other gases; to provide such a fluid control device which is simple in construction and particularly which eliminates the necessity of coil springs and the like; and to provide such a fluid control device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture but is effective and reliable in operation.

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, together with the novel features thereof, will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a fluid control device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical section, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a fluid control device similar to that of FIG. 1, but complementary in arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

In a fluid control device of this invention, as illustrated in the drawings, fluid is supplied thereto through an inlet tube of FIG. 3, and is normally discharged through an outlettube 11, as indicated by the arrows. However, the flow may be diverted through one of alternative outlet tubes 12, 13 or 14, as indicated by the dotted arrows of FIG. 3, by depressing one of the corresponding valve buttons l6, 17 or 18, such as button 17 of FIG. 4. It will be noted that the tubes 10-44 are omitted in FIG. 1 for clarity of illustration, while the devices of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are identical but complementary in construction.

Each fluid control device may include a base 20 to which an upright rectangular block 21 and an end plate 22 are secured to the base and to each other, as by adhesive, after installation of the respective valves and a short rubber tube 23. The extension of base 20 from each end of block 21 facilitates mounting of the device on a support, butmay be omitted. Block 21 is provided with a groove 24 on the underside, one end of which is closed by end plate 22 to form an inlet 25 of FIG. 5 and the opposite end of which forms an outlet 26, with a neck 27 adjacent the outlet. The end of rubber tube 23 isinserted within the neck 27 and the tube preferably cemented in position at the neck, while neck 27 may be tapered, as in FIG. 4, so that the end of tube 23 may be wedged into the neck. From a side of block 21, a lower bore 28 extends to groove 24, with the end of inlet tube 10 being connected thereto, as by insertion in bore 28 and cementing in position, while adjacent the opposite end, a lower bore 29 leads to outlet 26, with the end of outlet tube 11 being connected thereby, as by insertion in bore 29 and cementing in position. From the topof block 21, three bores 30, as in FIG. 4, extend downwardly to groove 24, each having a conical seat 31 at its lower end. The buttons 16, 17 and 18, as in FIG. 2, may be cemented to a smaller diameter extension 32 of a stem 33, seating against the shoulder formed at the lower end of stem extension32. At its lower end each stem 33 is formed with a valve 34 of frustoconical form for engaging seat 31 to prevent flow of fluid into the corresponding bore 30, when the valve is closed. On the same or opposite sides of block 21, a bore 35 extends transversely into the corresponding valve bore 30 above valve seat 31, while the ends of tubes 12, 13 and 14 are respectively connected thereto, as

by insertion in a bore 35 and cementing in position. Buttons 16, 17 and 18 are preferably proportioned to provide a sliding,

sealing tit with the corresponding bore 30, to prevent leakage of fluid therearound, the additional contact area between the button and the bore, when the button is depressed, as in the case of button 17 of FIG. 4, increasing the sealing effect. However, if desired, a conventional O-ring' for sealing purposes may be added, as in a groove formed in either the button or 1 the bore.

In accordance with this invention, groove 24 is wider than 1 the outside diameter of rubber tube 23, as in FIG. 3, so that,

FIGS. 4 and 5, the rubber tube 23 will be flattened, so that flow through the inside thereof to the normal outlet 26 will be shut off. As indicated by the arrows of FIG. 5, fluid will flow around the outside of tube 23 within groove 24, for flow upwardly into bore 30 of the open valve, and thence through the corresponding tube l2, 13 or 14. The action of each of the valves controlled by buttons 16 and 18 is the same as that of the valve controlled by button 17, i.e. when the button is pushed down, the tube 23 is flattened and the water will then flow around the tube 23 and thence to the desired tube 12 or 14 A further and important feature of the fluid control device of this invention lies in the fact that no. springs are required,

since the diameter of the tube 23 and the height of groove 64 are so proportioned that each valve 24 will be pressed upwardly by the tube 23, asin FIG. 2, against its seat 31. Thus, the rubber tube 23 performs a dual function, i.e. during flow through the tube, the tube holds each of the valves upwardly against its seat, with the tube being slightly flattened, as in FIG. 2, through engagement with a valve, but when any of the valve buttons are depressed, the tube will be flattened to prevent flow through the'inside thereof, the flow instead taking place around the outside of the tube and through the bore of the valve which is actuated. Through the attachment of base 20 to the underside of block 21, a closed passage corresponding to groove 24 and extending between inlet 25 and outlet 26 may be formedin an.inexpensive manner. It will be understood that the fluid control device may be used for controlling the flow of any desired fluid, although its inexpensive nature renders it highly suitable as a control valve for water toys and the like.

Base 20, block 21 and end plate 22 may be formed of a suitable plastic, while each of the valves may also be formed of plastic. Tube 23 is preferably formed of rubber, as indicated, although it may be formed of a sufficiently resilient plastic which will withstand the repetitive stresses involved in numerous valve closings. The block 21 and each of the valves may be molded, rather than machined, while end plate 22 may be integral with block 21. When block 21 is attached to base 20, adhesive is preferably placed on the underside of tube 23, below neck 27, so that the end of the tube will be cemented to the base, as well as to the block.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention fulfills to a marked degree the objects and requirements hereinbefore set forth. The fluid control device of this invention is particularly useful in an amusement device involving a water course structure and is inexpensive to make, particularly since no springs are necessary to hold the valves in closed position, inasmuch as the resilient tube holds the valve for the alternative outlets closed. For water toys and the like, a valve controlling the principal outlet is unnecessary, inasmuch as an intermediate valve, when opened, simultaneously flattens a resilient tube to shut off the supply to the normal outlet. As will be evident, such a fluid control device may be used for other purposes, particularly those in which simplicity and cheapness of construction are desirable, as when the requirements are such that the flow to a particular point should be essentially either on or off, rather than with an accurate gradations of flow. The number of valves for alternative outlets may be increased or decreased, as desired, while a button provided with a plunger for flattening the resilient tube and shutting off the normal outlet without opening an alternative outlet may also be provided. While the block means formed by the base 20, block 21 and end plate 22, which provides a closed passage through groove 24, are preferably formed of plastic, they may be formed of other suitable material, such as by die casting of metal. The valves and stems may also be formed of a material other than plastic, while the inlet and outlet tubes may be connected to the block means in other ways than those shown and described above.

lt will further be evident that, although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described and certain variations therein described, other embodiments may exist and numerous variations made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A fluid control device comprising:

block means having a longitudinally extending, closed passage and an inlet and an outlet adjacent opposite ends of said passage;

said block means having at least one bore extending to said passage intermediate said inlet and outlet;

a resilient tube disposed longitudinally in said passage and connected with said outlet, said tube being proportioned in relation to said passage that fluid may flow through said tube from said inlet to said outlet but around said tube to each said bore;

a valve for closing and opening each said bore at said' passage and movable into engagement with said tube for flattening said tube to restrict flow through said tube; and means for moving said valve into engagement with said tube and simultaneously opening the corresponding bore, whereby fluid flowing around said tube may flow into said bore. 2. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is proportioned to engage each said valve and hold the corres onding stem and extends outwardly from said bore a the end thereof opposite said passage, said block means having a port extending laterally to said bore at a position spaced from said passage.

4. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said block means comprises a block formed of plastic material and having a longitudinal groove on the under-, side, a plurality of bores extending downwardly from the top of said groove, a transverse port extending from a side of said block to each downwardly extending bore, an inlet port connecting with one end of said groove and an outlet port connecting with the opposite end of said groove, said groove being open at the inlet end;

a base formed of plastic material and adhesively secured to the underside of said block to close said groove, the end of said resilient tube being adhesively secured to said base at said outlet;

an end plate formed of plastic material adhesively secured to one end of said block and to said base to close the inlet end of said groove;

each said valve, stem and button being formed of plastic material and said resilient tube being formed of rubber; and

a fluid conducting tube formed of plastic extends into and is adhesively secured to each said port.

5. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said passage is formed by a groove in a block and at least one member attached to said block for closing said groove.

6. A fluid control device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said groove is provided with a neck adjacent the outlet of said passage; and

one end of said tube extends within said neck and is sealed thereto. 

1. A fluid control device comprising: block means having a longitudinally extending, closed passage and an inlet and an outlet adjacent opposite ends of said passage; said block means having at least one bore extending to said passage intermediate said inlet and outlet; a resilient tube disposed longitudinally in said passage and connected with said outlet, said tube being proportioned in relation to said passage that fluid may flow through said tube from said inlet to said outlet but around said tube to each said bore; a valve for closing and opening each said bore at said passage and movable into engagement with said tube for flattening said tube to restrict flow through said tube; and means for moving said valve into engagement with said tube and simultaneously opening the corresponding bore, whereby fluid flowing around said tube may flow into said bore.
 2. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is proportioned to engage each said valve and hold the same in closed position.
 3. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the end of each said bore at said passage is provided with a seat for the corresponding valve; a stem for moving said valve is disposed in the corresponding bore; and a button slidably received in said bore is connected to the corresponding stem and extends outwardly from said bore at the end thereof opposite said passage, said block means having a port extending laterally to said bore at a position spaced from said passage.
 4. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said block means comprises a block formed of plastic material and having a longitudinal groove on the underside, a plurality of bores extending downwardly from the top of said groove, a transverse port extending from a side of said block to each downwardly extending bore, an inlet port connecting with one end of said groove and an outlet port connecting with the opposite end of said groove, said groove being open at the inlet end; a base formed of plastic material and adhesively secured to the underside of said block to close said groove, the end of said resilient tube being adhesively secured to said base at said outlet; an end plate formed of plastic material adhesively secured to one end of said block and to said base to close the inlet end of said groove; each said valve, stem and button being formed of plastic material and said resilient tube being formed of rubber; and a fluid conducting tube formed of plastic extends into and is adhesively secured to each said port.
 5. A fluid control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said passage is formed by a groove in a block and at least one member attached to said block for closing said groove.
 6. A fluid control device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said groove is provided with a neck adjacent the outlet of said passage; and one end of said tube extends within said neck and is sealed thereto. 